Tag: Jacksonville

The Florida Gators went into the half trailing the Georgia Bulldogs 24 to 0. The Florida Gators were the home team for this year's annual Florida vs Georgia college football rivalry game at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida Saturday, October 30, 2021. Jki 103021 Bsfloridageorgia 15

Georgia, Florida to discuss rivalry game’s location next year

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Georgia and Florida released a joint statement Monday addressing the future of their annual college football rivalry game, saying they will discuss whether to continue holding the game in Jacksonville, Fla., next year.

The contract between the universities to play the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” in Jacksonville ends in 2023, though there are options for 2024 and 2025.

“The annual game between our two universities is an important tradition,” the statement said. “At this time, both programs are focused on our current seasons. Typically both schools begin conversations regarding future games in the series as the last contracted game nears. We anticipate following that timeline.

“When those discussions take place, we will consider a multitude of factors including tradition, finances, future SEC scheduling models with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, and what is best for both schools’ football programs overall.”

Jacksonville has been the site of the Georgia-Florida game since 1933. In the nearly 90 years since then, the schools only played on one another’s campuses one time apiece — 1994 in Gainesville, 1995 in Athens — before returning to Jacksonville.

But Georgia coach Kirby Smart recently said he “firmly believe(s) that we’ll be able to sign better players by having it as a home-and-home because we’ll have more opportunities to get them to campus.” He also allowed that having the game in Jacksonville is a moneymaker for both schools.

No. 1 Georgia and Florida will meet at TIAA Bank Field, home of the NFL’s Jaguars, this Saturday. The Bulldogs lead the Gators 53-44-2 in the all-time series.

–Field Level Media

Oct 16, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan (2) looks to pass as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris (95) applies pressure during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports

Pass-happy Colts exact revenge on Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Matt Ryan set a franchise record for completions with 42, including a game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass to rookie Alec Pierce with 17 seconds left Sunday as the host Indianapolis Colts rallied for a 34-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Ryan, who attempted 58 passes and threw for 389 yards with three scores, hit Pierce for his first NFL touchdown and prevented the Colts (3-2-1) from needing to attempt a long field goal for the win.

Jacksonville (2-4) took a 27-26 lead with 2:44 remaining when Trevor Lawrence found Christian Kirk for a 4-yard scoring strike. Lawrence enjoyed an efficient if not huge statistical day, hitting 20 of 22 attempts for 163 yards and adding a pair of short touchdown runs.

The Jaguars led most of the game behind a big-play rushing attack that gashed Indianapolis for 243 yards on 33 carries. At one point late in the third quarter, they were averaging more than 12 yards per carry.

Michael Pittman caught 13 passes for 134 yards for Indianapolis, which finished with 434 total yards and a season-high point total.

As it did when it blanked Indianapolis 24-0 in Week 2, Jacksonville got off to a fast start. It took a 7-0 lead with 3:48 left in the first quarter as Lawrence scored on a 1-yard run, capping a 56-yard drive.

The Colts got on the board 1:04 into the second quarter on Chase McLaughlin’s 28-yard field goal, but the Jaguars made it 14-3 when JaMycal Hasty sprinted 61 yards for a touchdown with 11:27 remaining in the half.

Unlike the first matchup, Indianapolis fought back and made a game of it at halftime. Ryan found Parris Campbell for a 4-yard scoring strike at the 2:06 mark to pull the Colts within 14-10, followed by McLaughlin’s 42-yard field goal 21 seconds before intermission.

With running backs Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Nyheim Hines (concussion) on the shelf, Ryan threw a whopping 37 passes in the first half, completing 26 for 232 yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) hands off to Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Dameon Pierce carries Texans past Jaguars for first win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dameon Pierce capped a 12-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:11 left to play as the Houston Texans earned their first win of the season, beating the host Jacksonville Jaguars 13-6 on Sunday.

Pierce, a rookie who played collegiately at Florida, rushed for 99 yards to carry a largely stagnant Texans offense. His bruising 20-yard run through a series of failed arm tackles set the Texans up at the Jacksonville 2-yard line. Two plays later, Pierce snapped a 6-6 deadlock as Houston (1-3-1) beat Jacksonville (2-3) for the ninth consecutive time.

Jaguars rookie linebacker Travon Walker enabled the Texans to extend their winning drive with his late hit on Texans quarterback Davis Mills, providing Houston a crucial automatic first down on third-and-20. Mills finished 16 of 24 for 140 yards. The Texans amassed only 248 yards.

Jacksonville committed several critical errors en route to the loss. Trevor Lawrence tossed a pair of interceptions, one in the end zone to Texans rookie cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. that snuffed a nine-play, 68-yard drive early in the second half. The Jaguars finished 0-for-3 on fourth down, committed six penalties and were guilty of several ill-timed dropped passes.

Lawrence completed 25 of 47 passes for 286 yards. Texans cornerback Desmond King II picked off his final pass of the game, a desperation heave from midfield with the game clock expired.

The Jaguars’ inability to sustain success began in the first half. Travis Etienne Jr. broke off consecutive runs of 18 and 30 yards on the Jaguars’ second possession only for that drive to stall. The Jaguars pushed to the Houston 8 on their next drive but settled for a 26-yard Riley Patterson field goal after Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins flushed Lawrence from the pocket on third down.

Ka’imi Fairbairn recorded field goals of 50 and 51 yards for the Texans, who grabbed a 6-3 lead with 3:23 left in the half. Houston averaged just 4.6 yards on the two scoring drives sandwiched around the first of three failed fourth-down conversions by Jacksonville.

The Jaguars did catch a break just prior to the intermission. Etienne fumbled a would-be catch and the ball was recovered by Houston, but the fumble was overturned by replay. Patterson followed with a 45-yard kick that yielded a 6-6 halftime tie.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Improving Jaguars will have to overcome recent history to defeat Texans

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars have, through four weeks, put on film evidence of their improvement from last season to this one, a reality confirmed by their position in the AFC South standings.

The Jaguars (2-2), set to host the Houston Texans (0-3-1) at TIAA Bank Field on Sunday, are tied atop the division with the Tennessee Titans. They have already recorded one intradivision win (Week 2 over the Indianapolis Colts), bludgeoned the Los Angeles Chargers on the road, and their two losses have both come on the road by just one score. The tell-tale signs are apparent.

Within their locker room, the Jaguars are convinced of their development. Considering that Jacksonville has recorded double-digit losses in each of the previous four seasons and 10 out of the last 11, more wins are likely required for the remainder of the NFL to sit up and take notice.

Jacksonville has dropped eight consecutive games to the Texans, and the Jaguars’ last division victory against a team other than Indianapolis came Sept. 19, 2019, a 20-7 win over Tennessee.

“It’s a really good, competitive division,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said. “I think the faster teams can start in the division … obviously an opportunity to get to the postseason is to be able to handle your division games.

“It’s another opportunity for our team to take another step forward and grow as a team and also understand that this is a good football team coming in here. It’s going to take a really good week of preparation and practice to get that done.”

The Texans are the lone remaining winless team in the league but, as Pederson noted, Houston has shown a fair amount of second-half pluck.

After blowing a 17-point, fourth-quarter lead in their season-opening tie with the Colts, the Texans led 9-6 in the third quarter on the road against the Denver Broncos and pulled even on the road in the waning moments of the third quarter against the Chicago Bears in Week 3.

The Texans dropped both of those contests and, after rallying to within three points midway through the fourth quarter after trailing the Chargers 27-7 last Sunday, proved unable to complete that comeback. The Texans’ three losses are by a combined 20 points, and their inability to either initiate their offense early or maintain momentum late has been pervasive.

“At the end of the day, it’s about starting fast is the name of the game,” Texans receiver Brandin Cooks said. “The message to specifically on our side, the offense, being able to start fast like we started in that second half.”

For a team that ranks 27th in the NFL in total offense, generating offense early is tied to mustering some measure of confidence. The Texans have struggled mightily in that regard, yet remain hopeful that their recent success against the Jaguars might serve as a benefit Sunday.

“I think historically, at least for the most recent years, the Texans have always handled the Jags efficiently,” Texans quarterback Davis Mills said. “We’ve gotten wins in the recent years, and we want to keep it rolling in the same way.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks for a receiver against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles stay undefeated thanks to five Jaguars turnovers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles took advantage of five turnovers by Trevor Lawrence and remained unbeaten with a 29-21 victory Sunday against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Eagles (4-0) scored 29 straight points against the Jaguars (2-2), who have not beaten an NFC team since opening the 2018 season with a victory over the New York Giants.

Before the mistakes piled up, the Jaguars had a 14-0 lead in head coach Doug Pederson’s first game against his old team. Pederson, who led the Eagles to a Super Bowl LII championship, received a warm ovation from the crowd on a wet and windy afternoon.

Miles Sanders ran for a career-high 134 yards and two touchdowns to lead Philadelphia. Jalen Hurts passed for 204 yards and rushed for a touchdown.

Lawrence lost four fumbles — three of them recovered by Haason Reddick — and threw an interception. He passed for 174 yards and threw two touchdown passes, both to Jamal Agnew.

Andre Cisco intercepted Hurts’ deflected pass and returned it 59 yards for a score to put Jacksonville up 7-0 with 11:15 left in the first quarter.

Lawrence’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Agnew made it 14-0 with 3:50 remaining in the quarter.

The Eagles came back to take a 20-14 halftime lead with touchdown runs by three different players in the second quarter.

After Fletcher Cox recovered Lawrence’s fumble near midfield, Hurts’ 3-yard run put the Eagles on the board.

Sanders’ 10-yard run capped a nine-play, 71-yard drive and made it 14-14 with 3:55 left before halftime.

Another Lawrence fumble led to Kenneth Gainwell’s 10-yard TD run as Philadelphia took its first lead at 20-14.

James Bradberry intercepted Lawrence with 4:17 left in a scoreless third quarter. Jake Elliott capped the ensuing 11-play drive with a 28-yard field goal to make it 23-14 with 13:42 to play.

Three plays later, Reddick sacked, stripped and recovered Lawrence’s third fumble to set up Sanders’ 5-yard TD run with 8:49 left. It was 29-14 after a two-point conversion pass failed.

Lawrence’s 8-yard strike to Agnew with 7:19 to play got the Jags within 29-21.

Lawrence’s final fumble came after the Eagles turned the ball over on downs just after the two-minute warning. Reddick recovered again and Philadelphia ran out the clock.

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) against the Denver Broncos at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jags T Cam Robinson agrees to 3-year, $54M deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars and left tackle Cam Robinson have agreed to a three-year, $54 million extension, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

Robinson, who was franchise tagged for the second straight year, will earn $18 million per year. He would have earned $16.66 million in 2022 under the tag had the two sides not reached a deal by July 15.

Robinson, 26, has appeared in 61 games (all starts) for the Jaguars since they selected him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Jaguars have the No. 1 pick in the draft Thursday night. Having Robinson locked up likely means they won’t select one of the top left tackles available — Evan Neal of Alabama or North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu — with the top pick.

Instead, they could address their need for an edge rusher with Aidan Hutchinson of Michigan or Travon Walker from Georgia.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Urban Meyer has run-ins with staff, players

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jacksonville head coach Urban Meyer reportedly has had multiple recent run-ins with Jaguars players and coaches, sparking speculation about his future with the team.

NFL.com published a story Saturday detailing the tense atmosphere surrounding the 2-10 team.

According to sources, the first-year coach’s repeated public comments shifting blame for the Jaguars’ failures to the players and staff members “have exacerbated frustration in the building with his hard-charging and sometimes condescending approach.”

Saturday’s story cited several incidents in the past two weeks, including a heated argument with veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones and last Sunday’s benching of starting running back James Robinson under “clouded circumstances.”

Meyer also reportedly challenged his assistants at a recent staff meeting, “delivering a biting message that he’s a winner and (they) are losers” and “challenging each coach individually to explain when they’ve ever won and forcing them to defend their resumes.”

Meyer, 57, initially came under in early October when he opted to remain in Ohio instead of flying home with the team following a Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Viral videos captured Meyer at a bar with a young woman dancing close to his lap.

The Jaguars have lost four straight entering Sunday’s road game against the Tennessee Titans (8-4).

A spokesperson for owner Shad Khan declined a request for comment from NFL.com.

–Field Level Media

Dec 5, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Stafford leads Rams to easy win over Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Matthew Stafford completed 26 of 38 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns, and the Los Angeles Rams cruised to a 37-7 win over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Cooper Kupp had eight catches for 129 yards and a touchdown for Los Angeles (8-4), which snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the first time since Oct. 31. Sony Michel had 24 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown to lead the Rams on the ground.

Trevor Lawrence completed 16 of 28 passes for 145 yards for Jacksonville (2-10). Carlos Hyde scored a rushing touchdown for the Jaguars, who have lost four straight games.

The Rams outgained the Jaguars 418-197 and controlled time of possession 33:45 to 26:15.

Los Angeles quickly set the tone by establishing a 10-0 advantage in the game’s first five minutes.

After Rams kicker Matt Gay opened the scoring with a 40-yard field goal, the team’s defense took hold. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald forced a fumble against Jaguars running back James Robinson, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey recovered the ball and returned it 8 yards to the Jacksonville 27.

Michel scored three plays later on a 5-yard run for his second rushing touchdown of the season.

The Jaguars pulled within 10-7 on Hyde’s 1-yard rushing score with 13:23 left in the second quarter. Hyde’s touchdown capped a 13-play, 73-yard drive.

Gay made two more field goals to give the Rams a 16-7 advantage at the half.

Los Angeles put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Kupp hauled in a 29-yard touchdown pass from Stafford with 11:43 to go, and Van Jefferson snagged a 2-yard touchdown pass with 3:27 left.

The Rams increased their advantage to 37-7 early in the fourth quarter when Odell Beckham Jr. grabbed a 1-yard touchdown pass from Stafford. It was Beckham’s second touchdown in as many weeks with the Rams, who signed the wideout on Nov. 11 after he was released by the Cleveland Browns.

Los Angeles improved to 4-2 at home. The Jaguars dropped to 0-5 on the road.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Cordarrelle Patterson powers Falcons past Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cordarrelle Patterson ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons defeated the host Jacksonville Jaguars 21-14 on Sunday afternoon.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan threw for a touchdown, but had only 190 yards through the air. He was intercepted once.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was 23-for-42 for 228 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Patterson, who didn’t play in the previous game because of an ankle injury, had 84 rushing yards by halftime. He finished with 16 carries.

Atlanta (5-6) held a 21-3 lead by the midway mark of the third quarter. The first points of the second half came on Ryan’s TD pass to Russell Gage that covered 12 yards.

The Jaguars (2-9) finally got to the end zone with 28 seconds left in the third quarter on Lawrence’s 7-yard pass to Tavon Austin followed by a two-point conversion throw.

Matthew Wright’s 34-yard field goal came at the end of a 14-play drive with 6:33 left, trimming Jacksonville’s deficit to 21-14.

The Jaguars got the ball back with slightly more than two minutes to play but managed just one first down before giving the ball back on downs.

The Falcons drove 81 yards in nine plays for the game’s first points on Patterson’s 7-yard run. He had 41 yards on four carries during the drive.

That also gave Atlanta some much-desired points after it was a victim of a shutout in its last game against New England.

Jacksonville reached Atlanta territory on its second possession, but Lawrence was intercepted by Duron Harmon. The Jaguars turned it over again on their next possession on James Robinson’s fumble.

On the ensuing drive, the Falcons needed four plays to go 29 yards, with Patterson’s 12-yard rush resulting in points. That came after Atlanta chose to wipe a field goal off the board because of a Jacksonville unsportsmanlike penalty a play earlier.

The Jaguars scored on Wright’s 22-yard field goal in the final minute of the first half to complete a 14-play possession that covered 70 yards.

Jacksonville had eight first downs and 153 yards of total offense in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2018; Jacksonville, FL, USA; The view from the Georgia side of the stadium during late first quarter action. Saturday s annual Florida vs Georgia football game, October 27, 2018 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL. Bob Self-USA TODAY NETWORK Ncaa Football Georgia Vs Florida

Georgia-Florida game to remain in Jacksonville at least 2 more years

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The annual Southeastern Conference clash between Georgia and Florida will continue to be played in Jacksonville through at least 2023.

The Jacksonville City Council voted Tuesday night to approve terms of the agreement, which also gives the schools the option to extend the deal until 2025.

The Athens Banner-Herald said the contract calls for each school to receive a minimum guarantee from the city of $1.25 million in 2022 and 2023 and $1.5 million in 2024 and 2025.

The minimum for this year’s game is $1 million. It will be played Saturday, with Georgia the No. 1 team in the nation.

Jacksonville has hosted all but two games in the annual series since 1933.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, only 19,000 fans were allowed at TIAA Bank Field last season. A capacity crowd of 76,000 is expected Saturday.

–Field Level Media